Churchill armed robbery suspect still at large

UPDATED at 4:55 p.m.

The suspect in this morning's robbery on Churchill Avenue remains at large, Greater Sudbury Police Services (GSPS) reported.

Meghan O'Malley, media relations officer with GSPS, said because the suspect is armed, members of the public should not take any chances if they believe they have spotted him.

"If a suspect is deemed to be potentially dangerous or has a weapon, the situation does change, as demonstrated by the schools being on 'hold and secure' until the area is searched," O'Malley said. "The public should call 911 if they see the suspect or call police with any information."

The canine unit was called out to assist in the search, but was unable to locate the suspect.

O'Malley advised that people should be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior immediately to police.

UPDATED at 12:10 p.m.

Police are still searching for the suspect who robbed a Churchill Avenue business around 9 a.m. this morning.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service is asking anyone with information, or who may have seen the suspect, to phone police or Crime Stoppers.
 

According to the GSPS, a man armed with a handgun walked into Irene's Hair Salon just after 9 a.m. this morning and demanded cash. He fled with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured in the incident.
 

This is the second robbery in the neighbourhood in a week.

On Sept. 14, two men attempted to rob the Churchill Convenience Store. According to police, a 25-year-old man entered the store, pulled out a knife, and demanded money.

An alarm was activated. The suspect ran from the store without taking any money.

A witness observed the suspect getting into a waiting vehicle driven by a 27-year-old man.

The vehicle was stopped by police a short time later, and the two men were arrested for robbery. The knife was found in the vehicle.

UPDATED at 11 a.m.:

As a result of the police search for the suspect in the armed robbery on Churchill Street, Churchill Public School and Westmount Public School went into "hold and secure" at the request of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

The schools were not in lockdown as was reported by some media outlets.

The "hold and secure" was lifted at both schools at approximately 10:05 a.m., the Rainbow District School Board reported.

During a hold and secure, students must remain in the school, and people are prevented from entering or leaving the building. Normal classroom activities are maintained.

Members of the Greater Sudbury Police Services forensic unit arrive at the scene of an armed robbery on Churchill Street this morning. Photo by Marg Seregelyi

Original story:

According to the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS), a man armed with a handgun walked into a home-based business on Churchill Street this morning and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

GSPS officers are currently on the scene of the robbery, which occurred at around 9:10 a.m. this morning.

No one was injured during this incident, GSPS reports. The suspect, described as being approximately 5’10 with a medium build, was last seen heading northbound on Falconbridge Road. He is wearing a black fleece hoodie and black gloves.

Staff members at Churchill Public School, Westmount Public School and St. Charles College have been advised of the incident, police said, and are taking all necessary safety precautions.

Motorists and pedestrians are asked to stay away from the area of Churchill and Falconbridge and find alternate routes while police are present. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Anyone who sees the male suspect is asked to contact 911.

Stick with NorthernLife.ca for more on this developing story.